2021 Daily Devotion - Day 423

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Many times during his missionary journeys, Paul was forced to leave a town before he felt his work was fully finished. Such was the case in Thessalonica, which was the largest and most important city of Macedonia. After just a few short weeks, he was forced to leave the fledgling church he had just started there. But even as he pressed on with his work, his mind also returned to those he had left there.

And, in the case of Thessalonica, his love and concern for these new followers of Christ led him to send his most trusted companion, Timothy, back to give them further guidance and see how they were doing. Paul’s heart was certainly gladdened when Timothy returned to him with an encouraging report. Paul later wrote the following to those there saying:

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 NIV
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia."

Paul was certainly a changed man. His acceptance of Christ and the work he did to spread the Good News was reflected in the many cities he had visited. The old gospel song “Oh How He Loved Us” sings about how a life in Christ makes us new people. We feel God’s love for us and we delight in sharing it with others.

Later, Paul said to those in Thessalonica, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV

Pray with me:
Father, I’m grateful for You making Your Word available to me for inspiration and encouragement. Let me return to it each day and to look for Your will as I go out to serve You. In Your holy name. Amen.

John Harrison
Men’s Ministries
Mount of Olives Church
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